What Shall We Then Do? - Annie E. Casey Foundation

93 Pages·2008·4.78 MB·English

by  Linda Mills

WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
The Family Freedom Kit:
WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO?
The PNBC Commission on Social Justice and Prison Ministry has prepared this Family
Freedom Kit to help PNBC congregations and others minister and disciple to members
of their own congregations who are affected by the criminal justice system – whether
as defendants, prisoners, victims of crime, or people coming home from prison, and
thefamilymembersofall.
WrittenbyLindaMills
ThepreparationoftheFreedomKitwasledandeditedbythefollowingmembersoftheCommission:
Rev.Dr.AllysonAbrams,CommissionExecutiveSecretary
Rev.OwenCardwell,Jr.,Chair,TrainingCommittee
Rev.Dr.Deotha“Deedee”M.Coleman,PNBCPMCo-Chair
Rev.JamesPerkins,PNBCSecondVicePresident,Chair,SocialJusticeandPrisonMinistryCommission
Rev.Dr.VirgilA.Wood,Chair,Research&Development
ThispublicationwasmadepossiblethroughthesupportoftheAnnieE.CaseyFoundation(www.aecf.org).
Ira Barbell, Senior Associate at the Foundation, coordinated the work of the team with the support of
Reverend Dr. Harold Trulear, Associate Professor of Applied Theology, Howard University School of
Divinity,whoconsultsfortheFoundation. JamesL.Merrinerwasthecopyeditor.
March2008
WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
Table of Contents
Sevenquestionsforprayerfulreflection 1
Introduction:Whatthismanualoffersyouandyourcongregation 3
ChapterOne
FaithandForgiveness: ATrueStory 6
StudyGuideQuestions 16
ChapterTwo
Whydowecare? “Anychurchcan...Everychurchshould.”WhataboutMyChurch? 17
ChapterThree
CreatingaHealingCommunity:TheRoleofPastors 26
ChapterFour
CreatingaHealingCommunity:AGuideforDisciples 33
ChapterFive
PolicyAdvocacy: ExpandingtheCircleofHealingtotheCommunitythroughAdvocacy 55
Afterword 64
Appendices:
A.FAQs–FrequentlyAskedQuestionsabouttheFamilyFreedomKit 65
B: InternetResourcestoBuildUpontheContentoftheFreedomKit 68
C. SampleResponsiveReadingtoIntroduce“HealingCommunities”totheCongregation 71
D. CriminalJusticeSystemFlowchart 72
E.ObstaclestoSuccessfulReentry 73
F.QualificationsofMentors 76
G.DosandDon’tsofMentoring 77
H.WorkingwithVictimsandReturningCitizens:ParticipantIssues 81
I.WorkingwithVictimsandReturningCitizens:ProcessIssues 82
J.Crime’sImpactonVictims 83
K.DiscipleChecklist 84
L.FamilyChecklist 86
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WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
Detailed Outline of the Family Freedom Kit
Sevenquestionsforprayerfulreflection 1
Introduction:
Whatthismanualoffersyouandyourcongregation 3
ChapterOne
FaithandForgiveness: ATrueStory 6
StudyGuideQuestions 16
ChapterTwo
Whydowecare? “Anychurchcan...Everychurchshould.”WhataboutMyChurch? 17
America’srecordonimprisonment 18
Disproportionateimpactonminorities 20
Disparateimpactsonthecommunitiesofreturningcitizens 21
97%ofthepeopleinprisonwillbereleasedoneday 21
Impactofmassarrestpolicies 22
Impactonfamilies 22
Butaren’tthesetheverypeoplewhohavepreyedonourcommunities? 22
Loveandforgiveness 23
Whatistheuniquecontributionacongregationcanmaketoaddressthiscrisis? 24
ChapterThree
CreatingaHealingCommunity:TheRoleofPastors 26
HowcanIleadmycongregationtowardengagement? 27
1. Learnaboutthechallengesandissuessurroundingincarcerationandreentry. 28
2. CreateaHealingCommunity. 28
3. Introducetheissuestothecongregation 28
4. OrganizeBiblestudy. 29
5. Makeincarcerationandthecommunity’sredemptionofReturning Citizensa
themeforthespringorfallrevivalorathemeforaSundaymorningservice. 29
6. Makeitcleartotheentirecongregationthatwhenoneofthemorone
oftheirfamilymembersischargedwithacrime,isinprisonoriscoming
homefromprison,orisavictimofacrime,thatthecongregationstands
readytosupporthimorher. 30
7. Carefullyanalyzetalents,giftsandskillsofyourcongregation. 30
8. Developatrainingandaccountabilitystructure. 30
9. ASK:Whoisinneedofthisministry? 30
10. Offerandprovideyourleadershiptothedisciplesinthiswork. 31
11. Dowehavetoset-upaprogramorcharteranon-profittodothiswork?
Shouldwebeseekingfunding?(No!) 31
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WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
ChapterFour
CreatingaHealingCommunity:AGuideforDisciples 33
Familiarizeyourselfwiththecriminaljusticeprocessandtheissues relatedto
crime,incarcerationandreentryanditsimpactonfamiliesandcommunities. 33
Identifytheresourcesthatareavailableinyourcommunitytohelp
defendants,prisoners,returningcitizens,victimsandtheirfamilies. 33
PARTONE:
Guidingandhelpingthepersonarrested,incarceratedorcominghome 34
1. Payattentionandrespondtothefirstcontact. 34
2. Offertohelpearly–atthetimeofarrest. 35
3. Findoutaboutthecorrespondence,telephoningandvisitingrules. 35
4. Introduceyourselfandworkwiththeprisonorjailchaplain. 36
5. Writelettersandoffertoacceptphonecalls. 36
6. Visitthepersoninjailorprisonwithoutaffectingfamilyvisitationtime. 37
7. Expectsometensionduringthefirstfewvisits. 37
8. Bepresent.Andlisten. 38
9. Offertobepresentatthedefendant’scourtappearances. 39
10. Helpthedefendantinpreparingforhislegaldefenseorsentencing. 39
11. Holdtheprisoneraccountableforwhathehasdone. 39
12. Forgivehim.Andencouragehisforgivenessofhimself. 40
13. Identifysupportiveresources(e.g.,education,training,treatment)inthe
prisonandinthecommunitiesneighboringtheprison. 41
14. Helpinpreparingforreleasefromprison. 41
15. Helpinthepreparationofarelease/dischargeplan(atransitionaccountabilityplan). 42
16. Helpestablishrealisticexpectations. 42
17. Helpprepareforcommunitysupervision(e.g.parole). 44
18. Addresstheissueofresidencypriortorelease. 44
19. Addresstheissueofpost-releaseemployment. 45
20. Identifywhowilljoinacircleofpeersupport. 46
21. Identifypeoplewhocanrespond24/7tocrises. 46
22. Workwithprisonofficialstobeclearondateandtimeofdischarge
soyoucanmeettheindividualatthegate(orbusstation)andtakehimhome. 46
23. Welcometheindividualbackintothecommunityandchurch. 47
24. Provideclosesupport,especiallyforthefirst72hoursafterrelease. 47
25. Continuetheworkofreconciliationandhelpdeveloparestitutionplan. 48
26. Identifyandhelppeopleinthecongregationwithrecentaswellas
long-pastcriminalrecords. 48
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WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
PARTTWO
Guidingandhelpingthefamiliesofdefendants,prisoners,andreturningcitizens 48
1. Helpthefamilyofthedefendant. Embraceeachofthem. 48
2. Addressthefamilies’materialneeds. 49
3. Buildamentoringrelationshipwiththefamily. 50
4. Providementoringsupporttothechildrenofthepersoninjailorprison. 50
5. Helpthefamilybuildorsustainarelationshipwiththeprisoner. 51
6. Assistwithtransportationwhenneeded,whichmightincludeanoffer
todrivethefamilytoseetheprisoner. 51
7. Helpthechildrenoftheparentwhoisincarceratedstayintouchwithhimorher. 52
8. Involvethefamilyinpreparingforthereturnhome. 53
PARTTHREE
Guidingandhelpingthevictimandthefamilyofthevictim 53
ChapterFive
ExpandingtheCircleofHealingtotheCommunitythroughAdvocacy 55
Theseachangeinpublicopinionaboutcrimeandpunishment 56
PolicyShiftsinWashington 57
SecondChanceAct 57
Disparatesentencing:Crackvs.powdercocaine 57
Somecriminaljusticeissuesthatstatesandlocalgovernments,often
withtheleadershipandsupportoffaithcommunities,areaddressing: 58
1. Stemmingprisongrowth 58
2. Reversingtheincentivesthatallowratchetingupofcharges,sentences
andclassificationuponconfinement. 58
3. Addressingconditionsofconfinement 59
4. Undoingover-classificationofinmates 59
5. Securingtreatmentformentallyillpeoplewhoarearrested 59
6. Stoppinggunviolence 59
7. Developing,expandingandimprovingrehabilitationandreentryprogramming 59
8. Addressingthelifetimeconsequencesofcriminalrecords 60
WhatBaptistsshoulddo 61
Afterword 64
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WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
Seven Questions for Prayerful Reflection
1.AmI,as aChristian,ashamedofmyownfamilymember whois
incarcerated?Ifso,whatamIashamedof?
2.Whyare we soashamedof
those whocommit crimesin
ourcommunities?
3.Whatarewe afraidofand
why?
4. Howdo we, asa
community,move beyonddenial?
5.WhatdoesJohn 20:23 sayaboutourbehavior?
Whosesoeversinsyeremit,theyareremitteduntothem;andwhose
soeversinsyeretain,theyareretained.(KJV)
Ifyouforgivesomeone'ssins,they'regoneforgood.Ifyoudon't
forgivesins,whatareyougoingtodowiththem?(TheMessage)
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WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
6. Are you visiting yourfamilymemberinprison?WhatdoesMatthew
25:43-45 sayaboutvisitinghim/her?
Iwasastranger,andyetookmenotin:naked,andyeclothedme
not:sick,andinprison,andyevisitedmenot.Thenshalltheyalso
answerhim,saying,Lord,whensawwetheeanhungered,orathirst,
orastranger,ornaked,orsick,orinprison,anddidnotminister
untothee? Thenshallheanswerthem,saying,VerilyIsayuntoyou,
Inasmuchasyediditnottooneoftheleastofthese,yediditnotto
me.(KJV)
IwasastrangerandyoudidnotwelcomeMeandentertainMe,Iwas
nakedandyoudidnotclotheMe,Iwassick andinprisonandyoudid
notvisitMe[l]withhelpandministeringcare. Thentheyalso[intheir
turn]willanswer,Lord,whendidweseeYouhungryorthirstyora
strangerornakedorsickorinprison,anddidnotministertoYou?
AndHewillreplytothem,SolemnlyIdeclaretoyou,insofarasyou
failedtodoitfortheleast[intheestimationofmen]ofthese,you
failedtodoitforMe.(AMP)
7.Whatshallwe thendo?
REFLECTION . . .
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WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
INTRODUCTION
What this manual offers you and your congregation
T
his manual is intended to help in the healing of individuals and families torn apart by crime –
whethercommittedagainsta memberofthecongregationorcommittedbyamemberofthe
congregation.
It is designed to help members of the Newterms,newthinking:
congregation who are distraught while facing trial,
“RETURNINGCITIZENS”
imprisonment, and ultimately the challenge that
Noticethereferencehereto"returning
returning citizens face in coming home and
citizens"ratherthanto"ex-cons”or“ex-
reintegrating into the community and family – and to offenders.”Theemphasisisonwhatoneis
helptheirfamilies. ratherthanwhatonewas.Andthisiswhere
thecivilrightsfocuscomesin.Tousethe
The manual shows churches how they can do
term"returningcitizen"emphasizesthatthe
the healing work of reconciliation among those who civilrightsofthosewhohavepaidtheirdebt
have caused harm, those who have been hurt, and the tosocietyshouldberecognized.Andthat
alsomeansworkingtochangelawsthat,for
largercommunity.
example,restrictvotingrightsordenyjob
It will help you build Stations of Hope and a opportunitiestoreturningcitizens.
Healing Community, one that embraces the prisoner “HealingCommunities”
and nurtures and supports both his family and the
Theterm“prisonerreentry”reflectsthe
victimsofcrime–acommunitythatlivesinthisspirit: simplefactthatmostinmatesdoreturnto
society. Healing Communitiesgofurther.
ForIwashungryandyougavemesomethingto
Theypressforreintegrationintheirdesireto
eat,Iwasthirstyandyougavemesomethingto seerelationshipsrestoredbetweenmenand
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I womenreturningfromincarceration,and
needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick theirfamilies,communities,thelarger
societyand,wherepossible,thevictimsof
andyoulookedafterme,Iwasinprisonandyou
theircriminalbehavior.
cametovisitme.Matthew25:35-36.(NIV)
“STATIONSOFHOPE”
We have a faith tradition of reasonable service
“StationsofHope”arechurchesthatserve
and giving unto others. The manual will demonstrate
ashealingandteachingrefugesofferinga
how people can be transformed into new creations, as renewedvisionforreturningcitizens,their
we ourselves are transformed – changing how we familiesandcommunities.
think, how we feel, and what we do with these
returningcitizens(cf:Romans12:1-2;2Corinthians5:17).
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Introduction: WhatthisManualOffersYouandYourCongregation 3 March2008
WHAT SHALL WE THEN DO? Family Freedom Kit for Creating Healing Communities
Therefore, this manual expresses our commitment not only to transform returning citizens but to
transformourselves–thecommunity.
ThismanualcanhelpcongregationsbecomeStationsofHopeorCitiesofRefuge(cf:Joshua
20:1-9) by recognizing the resources they currently have. These resources can be mobilized to help
their members respond when they or their family members are caught up in the criminal justice
system. (We are mindful of the importance of also developing prevention strategies, which will be
addressedinalatermaterials.
For many years, faithcommunities haveministered topeople in prison. Morerecently, faith
communitieshavebeguntohelppeoplecomingoutofprisonbywelcomingthemhomeandhelping
themreintegrateintotheircommunity.Thismanualoffersaslightlydifferentapproach. Itsuggests
waystohelppeopleinone’sowncongregationwhoareaccusedofcrimes,incarcerated,orcoming
homefrom prison; thefamilies ofsuch people; thevictims of
crime and their families; and the larger community -- right
TheReentryNationalMediaOutreach
from the start of the criminal justice process all the way Campaigndistributes(forfree)threefilms-God
throughtoasolidandsafereturnhomefromprison. andtheInnerCity,IWasinPrisonandYou
CametoVisitMe,andToServeThisPresent
Age.Thesefilmscanhelpachurchlearnhow
itcanhelppeopleinvolvedinthecriminal
Themanualoffers:
justicesystemandtheirfamilies.The
Campaignalsodistributesresourcehandbooks
 Inspiring stories of the impact of church engagement
anddiscussionguidesthattrackwiththefilms.
onthelivesofpeopleaffectedbycrime.
http://www.reentrymediaoutreach.org/
 Background information on criminal justice policies that have created the “cradle-to-prison
pipeline”forsomanyofouryouth.
 AguidewalkingpastorsthroughthestepstocreateaHealingCommunity.
 AguidefordiscipleswhoembracetheworkofHealingCommunities.
 Aguideforthosereceivingtheblessingofthiswork.
 Resources, including references to films, websites, and books to illuminate this work; and
withintheguide,materialsformembersoftheHealingCommunity.
Italsoofferspracticalsuggestionsfor acongregation’sengagementatvariouspointsinthe
continuumfromarresttoreleasefromprison. Includedamongthosesuggestionsare:
 Identifying who among your congregation is involved in the criminal justice system, directly
or as a family member, whether under arrest, incarcerated, coming home from prison,
reintegratingintothecommunityafterprison,ordealingwiththeconsequencesofacriminal
record.
 Disciplingandvolunteeringtohelpthepersonincarceratedbyvisitingandwritingtohim.
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Introduction: WhatthisManualOffersYouandYourCongregation 4 March2008